SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR

Press, Volume C, Issue 29599, 23 August 1961, Page 6

SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR

Letter Asking For Abandonment A letter from the South .■'ifrican Sports Association asking the New Zealand Cricket Council to abandon the tour of South Africa by the New Zealand cricket team this coming summer has been received by the council. The letter, which is signed by the secretary of the association (Mr D. A. Brutus), says that the New Zealand team will play against sides selected by the South African Cricket Association, which rigidly excludes nonwhite South African cricketers. and the matches will be played on grounds where there will be racial discrimination against nonwhite South Africans. “For this reason, the South African Sports As-

sociation. representing thousands of South African sportsmen of all racial i grounds, appeals to your council to abandon this tour in the interests of true sportsmanship," says the letter. “The association agreed in January this year,” continues the letter, “to launch a Campaign against all racial sporting events. It is certain that if this tour is under-

taken we shall be bound to campaign against support for it.” The letter says that previous information sent by the association should have made clear the extent of racial discrimination in South African cricket and that further information will be gladly supplied on request. "It is earnestly hoped that your Council will give most careful consideration to our appeal,” it concludes.